Method and means for sealing containers



Feb. 9, 1943. v H. s. ALLEN i 2,310,382

METHOD AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet J.

INVENTOR Feb. 9, 1943. v H, e. ALLEN 9,

METHOD AND MEANS FOR SEALING CQNTAINERS Filed Feb. 2, 1940 5 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR floggwdgjl 116 2 Feb. 9, 1943. ALLEN 2,310,382

' mmnon AND mmus FOR SEALING conmmsns "Filed Feb. 2, 1940 v S SheetS-Sheet s INVENTOR %%W ATTO N Feb. 9, 1943. H. G. ALLEN 2,310,382

METHOD AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 N INVENTCDR I {g I warcz AZZe'TZ I Feb. 9, 1943. H. G. ALLEN 2,310,382

METHOD AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I I l I INVENTOR fizz/arc? QAZZeTZ Patented Feb. 9, 1943 METHOD AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Howard G. Allen, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to Consolidated Packaging Machinery Corporation, Buiialo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 2, 1940, Serial No. 316,938 28 Claims. (01. 93-6) The present invention relates to a machine and method for closing filled flexible containers such as bags. More particularly, the machine and method herein disclosed are adapted to eifectively seal a filled bag to prevent the egress'of material which may be contained therein and/or to prevent the ingress of air, moisture or the like to the contents of the bag. This invention is of particular utility in the use of paper bags for the packaging of relatively small quantities, say from a few ounces up to as much as twenty-five pounds, of material intended for the retail trade. Certain materials as, for example, cofl'ee, tea, flour, or sugar, may be so finely divided as to tend to escape from the bag. In addition, these materials may be hygroscopic, aromatic or deliquescent or otherwise so constituted as to tend to lose certain of their desirable characteristics when exposed to the air or to moisture or to contaminating conditions which may exist ex-- ternally of the bag. In the packaging of materials of this general classification it is extremely desirable that the container be tightly sealed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of closing a flexible container whereby the container will be eiiectively sealed in closed condition.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine which is capable of closing and eifectively sealing a filled flexible container.

It is/further an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which may be conveniently added to the bag closing machine disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,175,557 granted October 10, 1939, to Luta L. Cundall, administratrix of Robert N. Cundall, to efl'ectively seal a filled flexible container closed upon the machine of said patent.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective mechanism for the insertion of adhesive into the open edges of a bag mouth whereby to eifectively seal said edges against the egress of material therefrom and the ingress of the atmosphere.

collapsing the bag mouth, trimming the open edges of the bag mouth and inserting adhesive into the trimmed edges of said bag mouth.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and a machine for closing filled bags which include the operations of collapsing the upwardly extending unfilled mouth portions of such a bag, inserting adhesive into the open edges of such collapsed mouth and securing the collapsed mouth to the filled body of the bag.

Other and further advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a machine to which the present invention may be applied;

Fig. 2 is a'plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a detailed elevation of the embodiw ment of the invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line of 4-4 of Fig. 1 illustrating a trimming, creasing and folding station of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,175,557;

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the station shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. his a section along the line in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 88 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a bag to which adhesive has been applied by the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are diagrammatic illustrations of the method and mechanism for forming a closure;

Fig. 13 is a sectional .view of a filled and sealed bag which has been closed by the method and machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive;

Fig. 14 is a section along the line i i-i l of Fig. 13; and

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate a modified method and means for sealing a filled bag.

' Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown the essential operating portion of a bag closing machine which is fully disclosed and claimed in It is a further object of the present invention 5. Patent 2,175,557 eSa d. Reference is applying adhesive to the inner peripheral surface adjacent the edges of the bag mouth whereby opposed portions of such peripheral surface may be adhered together.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and machine for the closing of filled bags which include the operations of here made to said patent for a detailed disclosure of such machine. Only suificient description will be herein set forth to provide a full under standing of the method and mechanism for sealing the mouth of the bag which is otherwise operated upon by the machine in the manner described in said patent. In these figures as well as in Figures 3, 7 and 8 there is shown mechanism which may be added to the machine of said patent to adapt said machine for the formation of the sealed closure herein contemplated.

It is to be understood that this mechanism represents merely a preferred embodiment of mechanism for accomplishing the object of this invention and that the detailed description hereinafter given and the specific relationship of this mechanism with the particular closing machine chosen for illustration from U. S. Patent 2,175,- 557 is not to be taken in a limiting sense. Equivalent mechanisms may be embodied in the present machine and the present mechanism or its equivalent may be embodied in closing machines of various types.

As shown in Fig. 1 the machine to which my invention may be applied comprises a base l upon which is supported a conveyor table II which may be adjusted vertically for. the purpose of accommodating bags of various sizes. The base III also supports the closure forming stations which comprise a creasing, trimming and preliminary folding station indicated generally at l2 and an adhesive applying and final folding station indicated generally at l3. These stations are driven from a suitable source of power (not shown) in a manner fully shown and described in Patent No. 2,175,557.

The conveyor table II supports an extension l4 upon which a filled bag 15 may be positioned preparatory to passage through the machine. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the bag l5 has been filled to predetermined level. The filling of the bag l5 may be performed manually or on-any suitable automatic or semi-automatic filling device. For the purposes of the present invention, considered from the standpoint of a method, the filling of the bag is to be considered as a specific step in the method. To this end the bag l5 may be filled by any suitable method or means in theposition shown upon the extension l4. 7

After the bag l5 has been filled the upwardly extending unfilled mouth portion-may be collapsed either manually or by suitable machinery disclosed, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 2,094,061 granted September 28, 1937, to Robert N. Cundall. For the purposes of the particular machine herein chosen for illustration, the side walls of the unfilled, upwardly extending mouth portion are tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls are collapsed upon the inwardly tucked side walls to form a collapsed bellows- 45 folded mouth portion which lies substantially in a plane disposed generally vertically with respect to the plane of the top of the contents of the bag. This collapsed mouth is open at its upper edges as illustrated in exaggerated form in Fig. 2.

From its position upon the extension l4 the bag may be moved to the left as viewed in Figs.

1 and 2 and the collapsed mouth portion thereof may be guided into the throat formed between a pair of suitable guide rails I6 and H. Addi- 55 tional guide rails l8. and i9 may be provided for assisting in guiding of the upper filled portion of the bag l5 and further guide rails, such as 20, 2|, may be provided in front of and in rear of the body of the bag to assist in maintaining the bag in proper alignment in its passage through the machine. Any suitable form' of intermittently operable conveyor may be availed of to propel the bag through the machine and to provide for suitable periods of rest whereby the bag may remain stationary for a suilicient time to permit operation of the various closing stations. The

conveyor has not been illustrated and reference is here made to Patent No. 2,175,557 for disclosure of suitable mechanism which it is contemplated to use in the present structure. The conveying mechanism thus supplied serves to move the bag l5 into suitable operative position rela tive to the first station l2.

Referring now to Fig. 4 the mechanism forming the station I2 is illustrated in suflicient detail to provide a complete understanding of the present invention. The bag I5 is progressed into this station with the collapsed mouth portion 22 5 thereof guided between suitable guide elements 23 and 24. A female creasing die 25 is mounted at predetermined distance above the level of the contents of the bag I5 and a male creasing die 26 is carried by a lever 21 pivoted on a cross rod 28 supported by the frame work of the machine.

A link 29 is pivoted at 30 to the lever 21 and is pivoted at 3| upon a rock arm 32 pivotally carried by a cross shaft 33 supported in the frame work of the machine. A cam actuated rod 34 is l5 also pivoted at 3| to the rock arm 32. By the operation of a suitably timed cam (not shown) the rod 34 is caused to move in a generally vertlcal direction whereby to draw the link 29 to the right as viewed in Fig. 4 to bring the male creasing die 26 into engagement with the bag mouth 22 and with the female die 25. These dies thus serve to form a crease transversely of the collapsed bag mouth.

A stationary blade 35 carried by the frame work of the machine is located at a distance above the plane of operation of the creasing dies 25, 26

substantially equal to the distance from the level of the contents of the bag l5 to the plane of said creasing dies.

a slide 31 which has plvotally connected to its rear end a link 38-which is in turn pivoted at 39 to an arm 40. .The arm 40 is pivoted upon a rock shaft 4| and an arm 42 is fixed to the arm 40 for rotation therewith whereby the arms 43'and 42 5 form a bell crank lever.

is pivoted as at 44 to the arm 42 of the bell crank.

Suitable cam mechanism (not shown) is provided for moving the rod 43 in a generally vertical direction whereby, through the action of the bell crank 42, 40 and link 38, the slide 31 may be reciprocated in timed relation with the operation -01 the creasing dies 25, 26. Preferably, the slide 31 is moved forward substantially concurrently with the action of the dies 25, 26. This movement of the slide 31 serves to bring the blade 36 into shearing relationship with the blade 35 whereby to trim any portion of the collapsed bag mouth which may lie above the plane of operation of the blades 35, 36. As shown in Fig. 5, the blades 35 and 36 have been caused to trim a portion 45 from the collapsed mouth 22 of the bag l5.

Th'e trimming operation just described is provided in the machine disclosed in Patent No. 2,175,557 and is availed of therein to insure the formation of uniform closures upon bags of a given size which may have been filled with varying volumes of material. In connection with the present invention the trimming operation is of additional value. Paper bags of the type used in the packaging of coffee, sugar and other related commodities are almost invariably formed with a thumb notch in the open edges thereof. This thumb notch is not only provided for convenience in opening the bag mouth but it is also essential in the formation of certain forms of bottom closures. In the present invention it is contemplated to trim all or substantially all of the portion of the bag in which the thumb notch is formed whereby the mouth of the bag will be uniform throughout. These uniform edges may be brought together and sealed in accordance with the present invention as will be more fully understood as the disclosure proceeds.

The slide 31 also carries a folding blade 48 having a downward extension 41 located some- A movable blade 36 is carried by- A cam actuated rod 43 j g 2,810,883 v 3 what behind the shearing edge of the blade 36. while the bag is being transferred from station As illustrated in Fig. 5, th'e extension 41 engages 52 to stationl3.

the portion of the bag mouth 22 extending above Referring back to Fig. 1, the adhesive inserting the crease formed by dies 25, 26 and serves to station is supported upon a suitable bracket 59 initiate folding of the bag mouthalong this crease secured to the base IQ of the machine. The movline. The folding blade 66 has at its rear enda able portions of this station are driven from a downwardly extending portion 68 which is pivoted suitable source of power available in the machine to the slide 31 upon a suitable stud 69 which may disclosed inPatent No. 2,175,557. For the puralso serve as the pivotal connection for the link poses of illustration this station may be driven 38 heretofore described. A' contractile spring 50 by the means which are normally provided for is stretch'ed between the extension #58 and a suitdriving the adhesive applying portion of the staable anchor 5! formed ;upon the slide 51 and tion i3. As shown in Fig. 1 this driving means tends to rotate the blade in a clockwisedirection may comprise a constantly rotating shaft 65 coninto thev position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5; nected to the sources of power and having a The extension 48 has suitably secured thereto an sprocket 5i thereon. The sprocket 6! through a ear 52 which is perforated to slidably receive a sprocket chain 62 imparts rotationtoa sprocket bolt 53 secured to a suitable support forming a 63 and shaft 66 suitably supported in the mapart of the machine frame. As shown in Fig. 4, chine frame. The shaft 64 is operative through A the bolt 53 may be secured at one end to the supa sprocket 65, sprocket chain 66 and sprocket 61 port 56 by the use of lock nuts 55, 56. At the to rotate an adhesive carrying roll 58 which opposite end and beyond the ear 52 the bolt 53 forms a part of the final station l3 as described carries a pair of adjustable lock nuts 57 which in Patent No. 2,175,557. For the purposes of the serve as an abutment against which the ear 52 present invention the shaft it is preferably exengages during course of the forward movement tended to the right as viewed in Fig. 1 into a of the slide 51. When such engagement occurs. 2;, bearing 69 carried by the bracket 59. At its outer the folding blade 46 will be rocked against the end the shaft 6d carries a sprocket it which tension of spring 50 in a counterclockwise directhrough a. chain 15 and a sprocket wheel 16 imtion. As shown in full lines in Fig. 6 the folding parts rotation to a stub shaft Tl (see Fig. 3) blade is in a position just prior to engagement mounted. for rotation in the adhesive inserting between the ear 52 and the abutment 51. Fur- 30 unit.

ther forward movement of the slide 3'l-will result The adhesive inserting unit may conveniently in movement of the folding blade 56 into the posicomprise a supporting frame 18 and an adhesive tion illustrated in dotted lines and identified by reservoir 19 suitably secured to the bracket 59, the reference numeral 46'. The action of the 'Reservoir 19 may be filled to a suitable level with folding blade 55 just described serves to fold the .35 y des r d form of adhesive Bil. The stlib Shaft collapsed bag mouth into the position illustrated H has secured thereto for rotationthere'with a in dotted lines in Fig. 6. ,pair of adhesive carrying discs which are of suit- In the operation of the machine disclosed in fa diameter to d p into e adhe ve 80- One Patent No. 2,175,557 the bag l5 having its colof these discs Bifis larger in diameter than its lapsed mouth folded as just described is engaged companion disc 82 and it Will be observed that by the conveying mechanism for movement to a adhesive Willbe Carried by e per pheral surifinal folding station. According to the present faces and portions of the radial surfaces of each invention there is provided a station intermediate/ 0f the discs 1' and The frame 8 is formed the stations disclosed in said patent. This addi-y w th a ri onta y extending p r n v a tional station serves to insert adhesive into the mg the es se o 9 a d having a itopen edges of the bag mouth in such manner that able bearing formed therein f0! rotatably mountthe-inner peripheral surfaces adjacent said edges a Pair/Of adhesive transfer discs may be dh d together throughout their extent which are arranged for contact respectively with whereby the mouth is effectively sealed. /The the s and The p ir f discs 83 and as embodiment herein chosen for illustration inare Carr/led on the lower end of a Stub et. not eludes an adhesive carrying member which is so shown which extends upwardly beyond the frame positioned that the open edges of the bag mouth 81 dhe secured ereto a pulley 85. A suitare engaged therewith to secure the insertion of able drlvlng belt 35 Passes arou'nd the pulley 85 an adequate quantity f adhesive into/the open and over a pair of idlers 81 into driving relation edges. Pressure thereafter applied in any suith a Pulley 83 mounted 9 rotetiqn With the able manner will serve to press opposed portions u shaft Thls mechanlsm D deS for r0- of the inner periphery of the open edges into tation of the discs 83 and 84 at a suitable speed engagement with each other and with the adhe- /Whlch may P a y e Substantially equal to sive inserted therebetween. The open edges of the Speed of rotatlon 0f the discs BI and 8 the collapsed bag mouth will therefore be sealed 6 T ame also rotatably p r another by a c t n line of adhesive extending pair of adhesive transfer discs .89 and 90 which throughout the periphery thereof, I are positioned for contact respectively with the The guides 23 and 24 (Figs 4, 5 and 6) ar 4 discs 83 and 84. The discs 89 and 90 niay be carpreferably extended beyond the station l2 into rled on the lower end of a stub shaft, not shown,

suitable proximity to the station l3. The guide at whose upper end is mounted a pulley 9|. A 24 together with an additional guide 58, which suitable belt 92 passes around the pulley 9| and may conveniently comprise an elongated cylindriinto driving engagement with a pulley 93 secal rod, are so disposed as to maintain the colcured for rotation with the pulley associated lapsed mouth 22 in its folded position while the with the discs 83 and 84. The mechanism thus bag [5 ismoved from the station l2 to station I3. 70 described provides forpositive rotation of the According to the present invention an adhesive discs 89 and at a suitable speed which may inserting. station is so disposed intermediate the prefe bly be substantially equal to he speed of stations l2v and I3 that the guides 58 and 24 will rotation of the discs 83 and 84. serve to guide the open edges of the bag mouth From an observation of Fig. 3 it will be app into contact with an adhesive carrying member 15 cut that adhesive carried by the radial and pesurfaces of the discs 83 and 89. The adhesive thus carried by the discs 83 and 84 will be transferred to the peripheral surfaces of the discs 89 and 90 and to that portion of the radial surface of the disc 98 which lies between the peripheral surfaces of the discs 89 and 99.

Referring now to Figs. '7 and 8 it will be observed that the discs 89 and 98 are so positioned as to extend into the path of the bag l as the same progresses between stations [2 and I3. The peripheral surface of the disc 90 is extended into such position as to engage and transfer adhesive to the vertically extending portion of the collapsed mouth 22 of the bag. Preferably the adhesive thus applied to the bag mouth is applied adjacent the base of the mouth and extends substantially into the apex of the angle between the bag mouth and the plane of the top of the bag contents. In Fig. 9 the adhesive thus applied is indicated by the reference numeral 99.

The peripheral surface of the disc 89 is so positioned as to engage and transfer adhesive to the open edges of the down turned flap of the bag mouth 22 as the same moves between guides 24 and 58. The adhesive carried by the peripheral surface of the disc 89 and the adhesive carried by the radial portion of the disc 90 adjacent thereto is all available for contact with the edges of the bag mouth. Thus minor variations in the length of the down turned flap and minor variations in the actual position of the open edges will not result in failure to insert adhesive into the open edges. In certain cases one of the edges will engage the disc 89 while the other edge may engage the disc 90. In other cases both of the edges may engage either one of the discs. As above described driving mechanism is provided for positive rotation of the various adhesive carrying discs for the purpose of transferring adhesive to the discs 89 and 90. The relative directions of rotation of these discs is immaterial. The speed of rotation is a matter of choice, it being preferred to rotate the discs 89 and 90 at such a speed as to transfer an adequate quantity of adhesive to the portions of the bag with which these discs engage. To this end the speed may be so chosen as to provide a substantial relative movement between the edges of the bag mouth and the disc surfaces. Thus the adhesive will be projected into the space between opposed portions of the inner peripheral surface of the bag mouth adjacent these open edges. Naturally the quantity of adhesive thus inserted may be controlled by proper selection of speed of rotation of the discs 89 and 90.

The adhesive applied to and inserted between the open edges of the bag mouth 22 is indicated in Fig. 9 )y the reference numeral 95. In said Fig. 9 a normal positioning of the bag mouth is illustrated. As described above in connection with the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 the bag mouth 22 is trimmed while it occupies a substantially vertical position. Accordingly, the opposite edges of the open mouth will be substantially horizontally aligned after trimming. It will be readily understood that the folding of the bag mouth thereafter will tend to offset these edges, the edge of the rear wall being shortened somewhat because this wall follows a longer path through the transverse fold. This offsetting of the edges is clearly shown in Fig. 9. It is'to be understood. however, that my invention is not limited to successful operation under these particular conditions. As explained above the open edges, regardless of their relative disposition, will engage one or the other of the adhesive carrying discs 89 and 90. The space between the open edges of the bag mouth will naturally be quite small and the insertion of adhesive therein may be considered to be roughly analogous to a capillary action. From an inspection of Fig. 8 it will be seen that the disc 39 is so positioned that as the flap 22 engages and passes the highest point of the periphery thereof it will be bent backwardiy somewhat. This backward movement will tend to drag the open edges across the radial surface of the disc 90 thus providing additional opportunity for the insertion of adhesive into the open edges.

The bag [5, having adhesive 94 and 95 supplied as illustrated in Fig. 9, may now be progressed by the conveying mechanism of the machine into suitable position for operation of the final closing station 13. This final closing station has not been illustrated in great detail and reference is again made to Patent No. 2,175,557 for additional disclosure. As shown in Fig. 10 the final closing station l3 comprises an adhesive applying blade 96 and a final folding member 91. The adhesive blade 96 is moved in proper timed relation into contact with the adhesive supply roll 68 and from this roll into contact with the horizontal shoulder portion of a filled bag. In Fig. 10 adhesive 98 is shown on the blade 96. The final folding member 91 is formed with an inverted generally U-shaped channel 99 into which the folded bag mouth is guided by the action of guides 24 and 58 or other equivalent guiding structures. The adhesive blade 98 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 10 to a position wherein the extremity thereof lies substantially within the apex of the angle between the vertical portion of the collapsed mouth and the plane of the contents of the bag. This latter position is illustrated in Fig. 11. The final folding member 91 is mounted upon a suitably movable slide (not shown) for movement to the right as viewed in Fig. 10 and a concurrent downward motion to bring the horizontal undersurface I thereof into contact with the top of the bag. Continued movement to the right will bend the folded bag mouth along the extremity of the adhesive blade 96 which is thereafter moved to the right to withdraw the extremity thereof and to spread adhesive over the horizontal shoulder portion of the bag. Continued movement of the folding member 91 will press the folded bag mouth downwardly into contact with the adhesive 98 applied by the blade 98 for the purpose of securing the folded mouth to the shoulder of the bag. The final operated position of the folding member 91 is illustrated in Fig. 12.

From an observation of Figs. 10, 11 and 12 it will be seenthat the adhesive 94 on the vertical portion of the bag mouth, the adhesive 95 at the edges of the bag mouth and the adhesive 98 on the shoulder of the bag will be brought into mutual engagement whereby the edges of the bag mouth are securely sealed and held in finally folded position by a continuous body of adhesive.

Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14, a bag I5 is shown as filled with a commodity IBI which for the purposes of illustration may be considered as a finely divided material such as flour. The showing in Figs. 13 and 14 is intended to illustrate the condition of a filled bag which has been closed and sealed according to the method and upon the machine hereinabove described after the the same upon a retailer's shelt.- Dining the course of such handling the material IIJI within the bag will tend to work itself through the passageway extending through the folded mouth Thus in Fig. 13 the material is indicated at I02 and I03 in the reversely disposed portions of the passageway within the collapsed and folded mouth. It will be apparent from this figure .that the material thus tends to progress toward the edges of the bag mouth. The effect of the present invention is to form a sealing plug entirely across the edges of the bag mouth whereby to prevent escape of the contents of the bag. In Fig. 13 it will be observed that the adhesive 95 forms an effective barrier within the passageway through which the material might otherwise tend to escape. It will also be observed that the adhesive 95 has merged with the adhesive 9d and the adheanother through the medium of the adhesive III therebetween.

InFig. 17 I have illustrated the final position of the folding member I I4 and the completed closure. As shown in said figure, the adhesive III serves as a barrier to the passageway I extending between the collapsed walls of the bag mouth. Subsequent handling of the bag may result in the movement of portions of the material I05 into as the passageway H5 but such material will be eifectively prevented from escaping by the action .of adhesive III. I

It will be understood that in each of the modifications of my invention hereinabove described 15 the specific manner of securing the sealed bag mouth to the bag body may be varied at will.

. Thus for example the sealed bag mouth may be sive 98 to form an integral mass. In Fig. 14 the sectional plane has been so chosen as to show that the adhesive barrier 95 extends throughout the width of the open edges of the bag mouth whereby to prevent the escape of the material in the position illustrated at I03.

In Figs. 15, 16 and 1'7 there is shown a modified method of sealing a filled bag together with a modified mechanism for carrying out this method. In Fig. 15 a bag I06 is shown filled to suitable level with a material indicated at 35. The mouth portion of the bag we has been collapsed and is indicated at I66. The collapsed bag mouth may be conducted between suitable guides I01 and I00 which serve to hold the bag mouth in a general vertical condition and to hold the open edges thereof in proximity with one another. An adhesive nozzle m9 of any suitable form having a quantity of adhesive H0 therein is provided. The nozzle I09 is brought into ongagement with the open edges of the mouth I06 and suitable pressure is applied to the adhesive IIO to propel adhesive from the nozzle into the collapsed mouth I06. The nozzle may be progressively moved across the width of the bag mouth while adhesive is propelled therefrom whereby to position a suitable quantity of adhesive III within the bag mouth throughout its width. The nozzle I09 could be of a width commensurate with the width of the bag mouth whereby to deposit adhesive throughout the width of the bag mouth at a single operation.

Any suitable means may be availed of to press the opposed portions of the collapsed mouth I06 into adhering relationship with the adhesive III positioned therein and any suitable disposition of the thus sealed bag mouth may be made. For the purposes of illustration I have shown in Figs. 16 and 17 a mechanism for applying adhesive to a, portion of the bag adjacent the collapsed and sealed mouth I06 and a device for folding the mouth I06 into contact with the adhesive bearing portion of the bag. To this. end an adhesive app ing blade 2 may be moved into contact with a shoulder of the bag I04 to apply thereto a layer of adhesive 3. A folding member Ill may be moved by any suitable means to the left as viewed in Fig. 16 to fold the collapsed mouth I06 in a counterclockwise direction into contact with the adhesive 3. Any suitable or desirable amount of pressure may be applied by downward movement of the folding member I II to insure adherence of the mouth to the adhesive 3 and to insure adherence of the open edges to one secured by means of an adhesive tape applied in any well known manner or. by staples, rivets I v or the like.

- For the purposes of compliance with the patent statutes the above detailed description of preferred methods and machinery for practicing my invention have been set forth. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be resorted to of the appended claims.

I claim: 1 a 1. The method of closing a filled bag comwithin the scope w prising tucking the side wallsof the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls .upon said inwardly tucked side walls, and inserting adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said collapsed bag mouth to seal said mouth in closed position.

2. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a filled bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, inserting adhesive between opposed inner edges of said collapsed bagv mouth to seal said mouth in closed position, folding said collapsed mouth against the filled portion of said bag, and securing said mouth is folded position.

3. The method of closing a filled bag comparting tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, inserting adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said collapsed bag mouth to seal said mouth in closed position, applying adhesive to a portion of said bag adjacent said collapsed mouth, and folding said collapsed mouth into contact with said last named portion of said bag.

4. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tacking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear' walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, folding said collapsed mouth upon itself, inserting adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said mouth to seal said'mouth in closed position, folding said folded mouth against the filled portion of said bag, and seeming said mouth to said filled portion.

5. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag, inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, folding said collapsed mouth upon itself, inserting adhesive between the opposed inbination ner edges of said mouth to sealsaid mouth in closed position, applying adhesive to a portion of said bag adjacent said folded mouth, and folding said folded mouth against the portion of said bag to which adhesive has been applied.

6. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, trimming said collapsed mouth to form parallel edges, folding said collapsed mouth upon itself, inserting adhesive between the opposed inner surfaces of said mouth adjacent said trimmed edges to seal said mouth in closed position, folding said folded mouth against the filled portion of said bag, and securing said mouth to said filled portion.

'7. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, folding said collapsed mouth upon itself to bring the open edges of said mouth into proximity with the base of said mouth, inserting adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said mouth to seal the same in closed position, applying adhesive to a portion of said mouth adjacent the base thereof, applying adhesive to a portion of the top of the bag adjacent the base of said mouth, and folding the folded mouth upon the top of said bag, the adhesive applied to said open edges, to said mouth portion and the top of said bag uniting to secure said mouth in sealed, folded position.

8. In a machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of their unfilled mouth portions tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed upon said intucked side walls, the combination of means for inserting adhesive between the edges of the collapsed mouth of a bag, and means to press said mouth to cause the inner surfaces of said mouth adjacent said edges to adhere in sealed condition.

9. In a machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of their unfilled mouth portions tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed upon said'intucked side walls, the combination of means for inserting adhesive between the edges of the collapsed mouth of a bag, and means to fold said mouth upon the filled portion of said bag, said last-named means exerting pressure to cause the inner surfaces of said 'mouth adjacent said edgesto adhere in sealed condition.

10. In a machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of their unfilled mouth portions tu'cked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed upon said intucked side walls, the comof means for inserting adhesive between said edges, means to apply adhesive to a surface of said bag adjacent said collapsed mouth, and means to fold said collapsed mouth into contact with said adhesive bearing surface, said last named means exerting pressure to cause the inner surfaces of said mouth adjacent said edges to adhere in sealed condition and to cause said mouth to adhere to said adhesive bearing surface.

11. In a machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of their unfilled mouth portions tucked inwardly between the front and rear walls, and having the front and rear walls collapsed upon said inwardly tucked side walls, the

combination of means for holding the collapsed mouth of a bag transversely of itself, means for inserting adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said collapsed mouth, and means for folding said folded mouth into contact with the filled portion of said bag.

12. In a machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of their upwardly extending unfilled mouth portions tucked inwardly between the front and rear walls, and having the front and rear walls collapsed upon said inwardly tucked side walls, the combination of means for folding said collapsed mouth transversely of itself, means to insert adhesive between the open edges of said collapsed mouth, means to apply adhesive to a surface of said bag adjacent said collapsed mouth, and means to fold said folded mouth into contact with said adhesive-bearing surface, said last named means exerting pressure to cause the inner surfaces of said mouth adjacent said open edges to adhere in sealed condition and to cause said folded mouth to adhere to said adhesive-bearing surface.

13. In a machine for closing filled bags having the unfilled mouth portions thereof collapsed into substantially a single plane, the combination of an adhesive applicator; means to produce relative movement between a bag and said applicator; and means for guiding the top edges of the collapsed mouth of said bag into contact with said applicator during said relative movement whereby to cause an insertion of adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said collapsed mouth.

14. In a machine for closing filled bags having the unfilled mouth portions thereof collapsed into substantially a single plane, the combination of an adhesive applicator rotatable about a fixed axis; means to move a bag past said applicator for a distance at least equal to the width of such bag; and means operative during such movement for guiding the edges of said collapsed mouth into contact with said rotating applicator whereby to cause an insertion of adhesive between the opposed inner edges of said collapsed mouth.

15. In a machine for closing filled bags having the unfilled mouth portions thereof collapsed into substantially a single plane, the combination of means for trimming the edges of the collapsed mouth of a bag, an adhesive applicator, means to produce relative movement between said bag and said applicator, and means for guiding the trimmed edges of said collapsed bag mouth intc contact with said applicator during said relativc movement whereby to cause an insertion of adhesive between the opposed inner edges of saic collapsed mouth.

16. In a machine for closing filled bags having the unfilled mouth portions thereof collapsed in to substantially a single plane, the combinatioi of an adhesive applicator rotatable about a fixer vertical axis, means to rotate said adhesive appli cator about said axis, means to present a bag t said applicator for movement relative thereto a least equal to the width of said bag, and mean operative during such relative movement is guiding the edges of said collapsed mouth int contact with said applicator whereby to cause th insertion of adhesive between the opposed inns edges of said collapsed mouth.

17. In a machine for closing filled bags hat ing the unfilled mouth portions thereof collapse into substantially a single plane, the combinatic of an adhesive applicator having angularly intei secting adhesive bearing surfaces, means to caw relative movement between the bag and said a1 1 lapsed to bring opposed walls thereof into proximity, the combination of an adhesive applicator,

means to produce relative movement between each of said bags and said applicator, means for trimming the collapsed mouths of the several bags to assure uniform presentation thereof to substance to transfer said wax-lik substance onto the exterior surfaces including the top edges of said closure whereby to form a continuous cap'of the wax-like substances to provide a sub-- stantially air tight and moisture-proof seal for said closure upon cooling and hardening thereof.

v 20. The method of sealing an open mouth bag formed of paper which comprises folding together the sides of the mouth portion to form an upstanding closure and then passing said mouth portion through a supply of settable material capable of bonding with the paper of said bag to transfer said material onto at least the top edges of said closur whereby to form a constantially tight seal across the full width of said closure upon setting of said material.

21. The method of sealing an open mouth bag formed of paper which comprises folding together the sides of the mouth portion to form an upstanding closure and then subjecting said mouth portion to contact with a quantity of settable material to transfer said material onto the exposed surfaces including the top edges of said closure whereby to form a continuous cap of said material to provide a substantially tight seal across the full width of said closure upon setting of said material.

22. In a method of sealing an open mouth bag formed of paper and having the sides of the mouth portion thereof folded together to form an upstanding closure, the step of transferring settable material capableof bonding with the paper of said bag onto at least the top edges of said at .least the top edges of said mouth portion whereby to form a continuous cap of said settable material to provide a substantially tight seal across the full width of said mouth portion upon setting of said material. 24. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front andrear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, folding said collapsed mouth upon itself, and then passing said mouth portion through a supply of settable material capable of bonding with the material of said bag to transfer said settable material onto at least the top edges of said mouth portion whereby to form a continuous cap of said settable material tinuous cap of said material to provide a subclosure whereby to form a continuous cap of said material to provide a substantially tight seal across the full width of said closure upon setting of said material.

23. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, and then passing said mouth portion through a supply of settable material capable of bonding with the material of said has to transfer said settable material onto to provide a substantially tight seal across the full width of said mouth portion upon setting of said material. I

25. The method of closinga filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said inwardly tucked side walls, trimming said collapsed mouth to form parallel edges, folding said collapsed mouth upon itself, and then passing said mouth portion through a supply of settable material capable of bonding with the material of said bag to transfer said settable material onto at least the top edges of said mouth portion whereby to form a continuous'cap of said settable material to provide a substantially tight seal across .the full width of said mouth portion upon setting of said material.

26. The method of closing a filled bag comprising tucking the side walls of the unfilled mouth portion of a bag inwardly between the front and rear walls of said mouth portion, collapsing said front and rear walls upon said in- .wardly tucked side walls, and then passing said mouth portion through a supply of settable material capable of bonding with the material of said bag to insert said settable material between the opposed inner surfaces of said mouth adjacent the edges thereof and to transfer said settable material onto the top edges of said mouth whereby to form a continuous cap of said settable material and to provide a substantially tight seal across the full width of said mouth portion upon setting of said material.

27. A machine for closing filled bags having the side walls of their unfilled mouth portions tucked inwardly and the front and rear walls collapsed upon said intucked side walls comprising means for applying adhesive to at least the top edges of the collapsed mouth of a bag whereby to form a continuous cap of said adhesive, and means to press said mouth to cause said adhesive to seal mouth in closed position.

28. A machine forclosing filled bags having the side walls of their unfilled mouth portions 

